Spurs Extend Manu Ginobili’s Contract

Thanks to a new deal, Manu will remain a Spur until perhaps the end of his career. The Express-News breaks down the deal: “Manu Ginobili’s summer just got a whole lot less stressful. Now, he only has to worry about his wife giving birth to twins. Ginobili’s other pending summertime concern — his basketball future — was alleviated Thursday, when he and the Spurs finalized a three-year contract extension that should allow him to retire in San Antonio. Final details of the deal, which will pay Ginobili a total of $38.9 million, were hammered out Thursday afternoon and approved by the NBA office. The Spurs are expected to announce the extension today, to the certain delight of a fan base eager for the team to keep its most popular player. The deal, which includes a trade kicker, is scheduled to pay Ginobili approximately $11.8 million next season, $12.9 million in 2011-12 and $14.1 million in 2012-13. It is a hefty but necessary toll for a player who will be 36 at deal’s end, especially in light of the $10 million luxury tax bill the Spurs have coming due this summer.”